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About "Dave Breakenridge"

Dave Breakenridge is the Online Content Editor of the Calgary Sun - responsible for local news on calgarysun.com, original online content, as well as writing a weekly column with a strong focus on Calgary issues. He also maintains the blogs Breaken' it Down and Thirsty Writin' Scoundrels. A nine-year resident of Calgary, he has covered myriad issues at the Calgary Sun as a reporter, including crime, education, health, politics and pop culture. An Edmonton native, he is also a former radio broadcaster and a graduate of Grant MacEwan University's journalism program.

It’s the time of year when all the birds have flown north for the summer.

That includes the Goose.

Just in time for summer patio season, Goose Island is spreading its wings in Canada.

This well-known Chicago brewery, whose Sofie and Matilda bottle-conditioned beers have been available in Alberta for awhile, as released its flagship IPA to the Canadian market.

Having been bought by beer giant Anheiser-Busch a few years ago, while it sent craft beer fans running scared, allowed Goose Island the capacity to bring the IPA, and hopefully more bottled products to come, to Canada.

“I think that it’s out of fear — they’re worried that the quality is going to suffer,” she said.

“But there isn’t anything that’s changed.”

Having a corporate brewery in Montreal is what has allowed for this expansion north.

Brewing the IPA off site has allowed Goose Island to brew more beers like Sofie and Matilda, and also allows the brewery to try new things.

But for Alberta beer drinkers familiar with the bolder Belgian-style beers, sold here in 750-ml wine bottles, the IPA may seem different, though it’s no less drinkable.

“This is a classic English-style IPA,” Perozzi said.

It has Pilgrim hops for a dry, woody characteristic, plus Styrian Golding for the grassy note. But for people used to the North American IPA, “we do use some Cascade and Centennial for a little more hop backbone than a traditional IPA,” Perozzi said.

“But it’s still sessionable, at 5.9%.”

So how does it taste?

It is really tasty, and it’s not a super over-powering IPA. There are lots of citrus and pine notes from the hops, but with some earthiness, good malt balance, and a nice crisp hop finish.

It’s not a palate-killer, so I think it would pair well with food.

Perozzi says it goes well with lamb burger, or bison, and, surprisingly, pairs well with carrot cake.

You think you’ve had enough of winter, and then you realize it’s just January. Time for a drink, right?

Nothing like a wee dram for a winter warm-up, right?

How about a room full of whisky? Even better.

You’re in luck then, because there are still tickets available for the MS Whisky Festivals in Edmonton and Calgary, Jan 14 and 15, respectively.

This is your chance to sample more than 100 whiskies from around the world, and not just single-malt scotch, either.

From single-malt to rye to bourbon, the best of the brown spirits will be available for sampling at the Delta Edmonton South next Wednesday and at the Jack Singer Concert Hall Thursday.

Stephen Richmond with Vines Wine Merchants in Edmonton, one of the partners in the Jan. 14 event, said tickets are selling well for this year’s event.

“Ticket sales are awesome — for the last two years, we’ve kind of sold out,” he said, adding he expects a turnout of about 550 people.

The events will highlight all variety of whisky, including single malt whiskies from Japan and Taiwan.

The events are unique in Alberta as they are one of the few occasions when you will see so many principals from distilleries around the world.

“Because of the timing of the big whisky fest in Victorial, a lot of principals will cover over for the Victoria festival and they’ll stop over here,” Richmond said, meaning attendees will get a chance to meet and chat up the people who know the most about their favourite whiskies.

On top of that, there are special master classes at both festivals, special tasting sessions with brand ambassadors.

In Edmonton, tickets are still available for the master classes with Compass Box, Kavalan and a special Canadian whisky class with Dan Tullio.

The one who leaves it to the very last possible minute to buy some gifts.

Then you get to the day before the big day and think to yourself, ‘Now what am I going to do?’

Seeing as you may be stopping by a liquor store anyway (who doesn’t need a little liquid courage for a Christmas with the family?), there are a handful of items you could grab in a snap to please the tippler on your last minute list.

Big Rock’s Barrel Aged collection or Cuvee Bru: These are both limited releases from Big Rock just in time for the holidays. The Barrel Aged series includes three bottles aged in different barrels: Bourbon, Congac and Sherry. They’re rich, flavourful beers just in time for the season. The Cuvee Bru, on the other hand, is a beer-wine hybrid, made with Pinot Gris grapes, as well as pure honey sourced from the brewery’s own bees. If you spot either of them, pick them up.

Wild Rose Cherry Porter: This is a holiday staple for me, and makes a great stocking stuffer. Rich chocolate notes, as well as sweet and sour cherries makes this a nice sipper on a cold Christmas day.

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Pinot Noir: This is one of the best Pinot Noirs I’ve ever had. I had the pleasure of trying it at a dinner I was invited to in November hosted by the Edmonton Gentlemen’s Dinner Club. It was fruity but earthy, with balanced tannins, and absolutely silky on the palate. The nose alone is worth the price of a bottle.

Glenlivet Guardians Chapter: The Glenlivet isn’t usually my whisky of choice, but I have to say, I was quite impressed with this single malt, chosen by fans of the distillery, is full of rich chocolate and orange notes, with light spice on the finish. It’s a nice limited edition that makes a great gift.

Now, if you don’t want to buy someone a bottle as a gift, there are some great books out there to enjoy while having a drink.

“But Dave, it’s Christmas Eve and I have no intention of leaving the hosue,” you snark.

Fine. Keep your sanity.

You can easily shop online for some key events in the new year. In January, both Calgary and Edmonton play host to MS Whisky Festivals, with scores of whiskies available for sampling from distilleries from around the world. The Edmonton festival goes Jan. 14 at the Delta Edmonton South and the Calgary fest is the next night at the Jack Singer. Click here for tickets to Calgary’s event, and here for Edmonton’s. Proceeds go to benefit MS research.

Meanwhile, Winefest makes a return appearance in Calgary and Edmonton in February. Like the whisky festivals, this is an all-inclusive tasting event, allowing you the chance to sample wines of all varieties from around the world. For the oenophile in your life, this is a no-brainer.

So that’s it. Check off some of the last people on your list, triumphantly dust off your hands, and pour yourself a drink. The relatives are on their way.

Pinot Noir can be a very versatile wine. I’ve had it paired with everything from pork to duck to beef, and it’s also very good with simple dishes like bruschetta or pasta or game hens.

One ingredient I also think it does quite well with is salmon, especially vintages with more fruit on the palate — they can cut through the fattiness of the fish.

That pairing is on display for a few days at select Edmonton and Calgary restaurants, which are featuring signature salmon dishes with the Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, in support of the Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society.

Sokol Blosser is one of the oldest Oregon wineries, and has been producing great quality Pinot Noir for some time.

The Dundee Hills offers notes of black cherry and raspberry, but with earthy undertones, which makes for great pairings with salmon.

The signature dishes have been created by the chefs at Bothy Wine & Whisky Bar in Edmonton (both locations), as well as Q Haute Cuisine and La Chaumiere in Calgary. Proceeds from the sale of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir will go to CPAWS.

“We are thrilled to be introducing this exciting new campaign to consumers across Western Canada,” said Adam Evans, National Sr. Brand Manager, Wine Division, PMA Canada Ltd.

“We are always in search of ways to enhance the wine drinking experience for our consumers across the country. The Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is truly best–in-class. Enjoying it on its own is definitely a treat for any wine connoisseur, and we look forward to having consumers experience its flavours as they are enhanced alongside the various wild salmon appetizers, each prepared by some of the best chefs in the country.”

Alison Sokol Blosser, Co-President, CEO and Second Generation Winegrower, Sokol Blosser Winery adds:. “It’s exciting to work with these chefs to bring the flavours of Pinot Noir and salmon to life to consumers across the country.”

The best of the pairings from the restaurants — which also includes notable Vancouver eatery Vij’s, plus three others in B.C. — will be announced in January.

Our Contributor

Dave Breakenridge is the Online Content Editor of the Calgary Sun - responsible for local news on calgarysun.com, original online content, as well as writing a weekly column with a strong focus on Calgary issues. He also maintains the blogs Breaken' it Down and Thirsty Writin' Scoundrels. A nine-year resident of Calgary, he has covered myriad issues at the Calgary Sun as a reporter, including crime, education, health, politics and pop culture. An Edmonton native, he is also a former radio broadcaster and a graduate of Grant MacEwan University's journalism program.